Digital Streams Loughor

Digital Streams Loughor was a pilot project that aimed to get residents to become more 'connected' with the rivers and streams that run through their local area. By taking groups out to explore and photograph different aspects of the river they would hopefully have gained a better understanding of how it affects them and we affect it.The project ran with around 15 - 20 people, over the space of 3 or 4 months and involved groups exploring the river from its source down to the sea. The participants were not all experienced photographers and were taught the basics of digital photography as they went. Locations and activities were chosen as much to give participants a chance to practise their photographic skills as to show them a different facet of the river, such as flood prevention schemes or pollution issues.After the photography trips were over the project incorporated some classes about editing the photographs using Photoshop, and an exhibition was then created containing around 80 or so images from the trips.The project was a great success, both the trips and the exhibition, so much so that some of the participants creted their own walking and photography group to carry on exploring the local countryside around their area.

Week 1 took us to the source of the Loughor - 'Llygad Llwchwr' or the eye of the Loughor, up in the Black Mountains.

Week 2 took us further downstream to Garnant, Pantyffynone and Ammanford. At Pantyffynone we looked at the invertebrate life to be found in the river bed by undertaking a kick sample.

Week 3 took us to Glanymor Park then a little further down the estuary to Penclawdd.

The final week of the project took us back upstream to visit the Cathan Minewater treatment plant before a walk to the river and waterfalls through the Glynhir Estate, near Llandybie.